Table of Contents Aligning Knowledge with Skills


The primary focus of ABYC EDU-1 On-Water Recreational Boating Skills–Power is on skills associated with safe entry- level recreational boat operation. However, safe recreational boat operation also requires knowledge as well as good judgment and a positive attitude.


The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Education Standards Panel (ESP) is the organization responsible for American National Standards for knowledge in powerboating. The knowledge standards form the basis for mandatory boater education in most of the states and territories of the USA and are primarily concerned with risk management.


Course developers and instructors can choose if, when, and how to integrate knowledge and skills components within their instructional approach. Note that knowledge standard elements could be taught in a non-classroom setting as part of an on-the-water, skills-based course, particularly at an entry level.


Although different groups developed the knowledge and skills standards at different times, the two standards are complimentary and can be used together by course developers. Separate Technical Reports3


knowledge standards. For more information about NASBLA’s recreational boating knowledge standards, visit www.nasbla.org/education/national-ed-standards.


Design Instruction—Q & A Does a course need to be certified that it meets EDU-1?


Although they’re not required to, education providers are well advised to follow EDU-1 in the design and implementation of on-water instruction. They should be deliberate about their use of the ANS to design and implement their on-water instructional course or program.


For existing courses, this can involve completing a thorough self-assessment and verification process of the extent to which the course complies with EDU-1. The NOWS Program has developed a Self-Assessment Checklist for this purpose.


To learn more about how to use the NOWS Self-Assessment Checklist for assessing the extent to which a course complies with EDU-1, visit: www.usnows.org.


What if a program already follows a different standard?


EDU-1 sets the national foundation for best practices in entry-level, on-water skills-based powerboat instruction. If the program under consideration already follows a standard, check the extent to which that standard follows EDU-1. If the program standard meets or exceeds EDU-1, there is no need to change the program. If the program standard is set lower than EDU-1, make alterations to ensure the program meets or exceeds the standard identified by EDU-1.


If a different organization such as a parent organization or national association developed the program under consideration, contact the program owner and inquire whether the course was designed to follow EDU-1.


If the program follows EDU-1, check to ensure implementation of the program locally is taking place according to the program standards. If the program does not follow EDU-1, work with the course owner to update the program so that it does.


Is a certified instructor required to teach a course that includes the skills identified in EDU-1 ?


A non-certified instructor could theoretically teach skills identified by EDU-1, but instructors should have appropriate experience, training, and certification as required by the organization providing the education. If a course includes skills identified within EDU-1, and that course requires certification, then an individual needs to follow all the necessary procedures and protocols to acquire the appropriate certification for that course. Course developers also should receive training on how to design instructional programming.


3. A ‘Technical Report’ and a ‘Technical Support Document’ are essentially the same type of document used to provide additional information in support of an American National Standard.


This Technical Support Document was produced in part through USCG grant funds to develop National On-Water Skills Standards. 8 ©2022 United States Sailing Association. Facilitated by Think First Serve.


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